Once known as a ‘homeless’ First Nation, the community is preparing to rebuild after regaining ownership of an important village site on ‘Vancouver Island’

After fighting to reestablish its main village site for more than four generations, the Lyackson First Nation is mapping out a new and hopeful future.

The “Vancouver Island” community of roughly 230 people has regained ownership of a 312-hectare land parcel alongside Cowichan Tribes — building on decades of advocacy and work to regain what was lost during colonization.

“This village site will forever change the trajectory of the Leey’qsun Mustimuhw for our community today and future generations,” said Lyackson Chief Laxele’wuts’aat Chief Shana Thomas on May 22.

“We have a lot of work to do to prepare, but our community is ready to take on that work.”

Traditionally, Lyackson’s winter village T’eet’qe’ had sat at the mouth of the Quw’utsun and Xwulqw’selu Sta’lo’ (Cowichan and Koksilah rivers).

Though the First Nation also had reserve land on nearby Leey’qsun (Valdes) Island, there was no ferry service, electricity or running water, so Lyackson members had eventually moved off.

For years, the small First Nation endured physical and cultural disconnection, living scattered in nearby communities. During this separation, Lyackson has awaited and advocated for the return of the culturally-important lands that were historically used for gathering, harvesting and more.

Now, Lyackson’s moment has finally come. The transfer is now complete on the land parcel, which the province bought from Mosaic Forest Management for $8.55 million.

To read the full article by IndigiNews, visit: https://indiginews.com/features/lyackson-first-nation-prepares-to-return-home/